A Non-Governmental Organization tagged ‘Development and Integrity Intervention, Goals Foundation (DIG) in collaboration with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), recently organized a 3-Day Drug Free Action Peer Educators Training on youths creativity Camp in Abakaliki the Ebonyi State capital.
The Training workshop had participants drawn across Eight Local Government Areas of the state and was part of efforts towards stemming the growing rate of drug abuse and dependency in the State.
The local Governments included Abakaliki, Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ezza North, Ezza south, Ohaukwu, Ebonyi and Ikwo respectively.
The objective of the workshop included to train participants as Peer Educators for Drug Free Action among youths, expose participants on the dangers of drug abuse and equip them with knowledge and skills that will enable them avoid drug abuse and influence their peers positively.
The training also had in attendance officials from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ebonyi State Office.
Speaking on the objectives of the training, the Executive Director, DIG Foundation Chief Oliver Chima Aja, stated that the training was meant to expose participants to the dangers of drug abuse and the need to shun it.
Chief Aja reiterated that the training was to equip them with requisite knowledge and skills to enable them avoid drug abuse, and influence their peers positively.
He opined, ” If you look at the challenges faced in terms of drug abuse issues in the country and Ebonyi State in particular, especially this recent Mkpuru mmiri, you will understand the need for urgent action.
Resource Persons at the training workshop included the DIG Advisor Dr. Emma Abah; the Assistant Commander Drug Demand Reduction Department (NDLEA) Mr Godwim Erepa and the Principal Psychologist, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA) Abakaliki, Mr Eze Nsi Ude took turns to educate participants on Drug related concepts and causes of drug abuse,
Topics discussed included Drugs consequences, Drug Demand and Reduction; economic, social and health implications of drug abuse, Roles of youth leaders in drug abuse prevention as well as support and amelioration techniques.
In s lecture titled ‘Analysing the current Global Drug Situation Mr. Erepa state “One third of the World’s Drug Users are women, there are approximately 3.5 million female who inject drugs, out of estimated 12 million people who inject drugs.
“Estimated 10.8 million men and 3.4 million women reported past drug use in Nigeria, prevalence of drug abuse promotes indiscriminate sexual behavior’s, violence and neurological disorders.
In a second lecture titled “the Role of Youths Leaders in Drug Abuse Prevention”, the DIG Advisor Dr Emma Abah, highlighted the concomitant problems associated with Drugs Abuse.
He charged the participants, traditional Rulers, to identify all institutions associated with drugs
” Let us join hands to promote Drug Free Actions among youths in Nigeria”
Participants unanimously stressed the need for synergy among Security Agencies in order to stem the tide of drugs abuse in the country.
Highlights of the event was the issuance of Certificates of Appreciation for participants for being Ambassadors and “Drug Free Action Advocates.
It would be noted that DIG Foundation among other objectives is focused on working towards Peaceful and Democratic Nigeria Society with Healthy Environment.
The NGO is implementing intensive Advocacy and Mobilization for Drug Free Actions in Nigeria.
